While the book started out in the middle of the action, I couldn't connect to the story or characters. It was a DNF for me, but I give the author points for the writing.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this review copy of Apocalypse Five by Stacey Rourke.
Unfortunately I do not think I’m the intended audience for this young adult science fiction novel. I found the overuse of descriptive words amateurish and over the top. Sample lines from a SINGLE page: “Tears zigzagging over her peaches and cream cheeks, she held the barrel of taser set to kill to her temple” and “Her pert face crumbled, sending a fresh wave of tears spilling over her lashes”. The conversations between characters were stilted and awkward and the relationships corny. I think this could have been a decent middle-grade book if the content was made appropriate for that crowd.
The only thing useful about the entire endeavor of suffering through this book was that the opening line was really good and fit the 2020 Popsugar Reading Challenge “book with a great first line” and that the rest of it was mercifully short.

I really wanted to love this book. The premise is great, but I didn't find myself connecting with anything about it. I read Apocalypse Five on my phone and though I read over 75% of the time on my phone, it's the first time I questioned if that had anything to do with my feelings for the book. I felt like I was reading a synopsis and was missing the depth of the actual book. The characters did not feel developed enough, though it seems like the elements were there, but it felt too superficial. I keep wanting to think that it's me and not the book, but I've never felt this way before. I'd be interested to know what some of my students think about it and to discuss it with them, but I'm even hesitant to purchase it since I feel so indifferent. If I didn't have a million titles on my TBR list I'm dying to get to, I'd be tempted to reread this title to verify my feelings (or, hopefully, be proven wrong).

I received an ARC from NetGalley through Black Spot Books in exchange for an honest review which I’ve given. Warning, potential spoilers ahead.

Are you a fan of dystopian virtual reality books or science fiction? Then Apocalypse Five is one you are going to want to add to your to read piles on Goodreads.! The A5 are an elite crew of teens who are being trained through virtual reality simulations for the end of the world. They face different “scenarios” which have consequences that are final. Die in a simulation, you die for real. Weird right. Well, as you’re reading, you start to get the picture as do the members of A5. Why do the things that happen in a simulation seem so real?



I think this series has a lot of potential, but there are a lot of unanswered questions. Are there A5 teams all over the world? The way that the people have broken up into groups and the fact that the A5 can get to all of them doesn’t quite make sense. Maybe if they were in different areas of the US I could see how beliefs and ways of life would be affected, but the way I’m understanding it is that these groups are very close. I hope that this is explained in future books as well as what’s going on in the rest of the world.

As long as these issues are addressed I think that the Archive of the Fives series has great potential.

Stacey Rourke created such a fascinating sci-fi dystopian story. It was an absolutely thrilling and addictive read that left me wanting MORE!

Brimmed with plenty of action, suspense, drama, humor, and twists, Apocalypse Five had me completely captivated and I loved it. Rourke’s writing was amazingly vivid and so wonderfully engaging that I felt like I was present in the moment experiencing all the thrill. Even though the story seemed familiar to other dystopian books I’ve read, I thought the author’s ideas were imaginative and different enough that I felt like I was embarking on an excitingly unique space adventure. The storyline was fantastic and perfectly fast-paced. I was thrown into all the action and intrigue from the first page and it did not stop until that awesome ending.

I absolutely adored the Apocalypse Five! I thought Rourke created such wonderful, charming, and interesting characters. They were teenagers, far from perfect and had their own insecurities, but they were passionately determined, fiercely loyal to each other, and willing to fight for the good. They each had their own strengths, weaknesses, and quirks that made them seem real to me. I loved getting to know them and seeing each of them grow into the kind of heroes that could spark new beginnings and inspire others to fight for justice.

The side characters and the villains were interesting too. I really did like the characters and thought they were all well-developed. But, if I had to pick a favorite, I'd have to go with Augusta. He was pretty funny and I liked his character growth the most.

Apocalypse Five by Stacey Rourke was a wonderfully crafted sci-fi adventure that will thrill, mesmerize and entertain you until the very last page. The storytelling was amazing and the world-building was creative. I thoroughly enjoyed the intense fight scenes, the heart-pounding moments, the surprises and revelations, the lovable characters, and even the romance. It was fabulous, electrifying and immersive! I’m totally looking forward for whatever comes next and hanging out with the Rogue Five.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts, opinions, and experiences are my own.

Once again I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle copy of this book to read and impartially review.
The end of the world is coming. How or when, scientists can't agree upon. For decades, Earth's best line of defence has been a team of young soldiers known as the Apocalypse Five, forced into virtual reality simulations to train for Doom's Day. But, this is no game. Death on the grid is brutally final and calls up the next in a long line of cadets. Stationed aboard the AT-1-NS Starship, the A5 are celebrities thrust into the limelight by a calling they didn't choose. All it takes is one unscheduled mission, showing seventeen-year-old team leader Detroit a harsh and unfathomable reality, to shake the A5's belief in all they thought they knew. After questioning people with the power to destroy them, the team is framed for a crime they didn't commit and marked for death. Now, the hunt is on. Can the Apocalypse Five expose the truth the Starship would kill to keep hidden? Or, will their bravery end in a public execution?
They say never judge a book by its cover, well that's exactly what i did in this case, that and descriptive blurb reproduced above, and i did not regret in anyway my decision.
As a 61 year old i do not think i was the authors target audience, but i was completely hooked and enthralled from start to finish. Almost non stop action, clever descriptive fast paced and gripping from first to last page.
This is an imaginative well written book with brilliant characters especially 'Detroit' our intrepid leader cool smart sassy kick-ass and funny too, a terrific combination.
The way the book ended this is only the start of an enthralling series and i look forward to more very soon.

Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.



Book Series: Book 1 of the Archive of the Fives



Rating: 4/5



Publication Date: February 12, 2019



Genre: YA Sci-Fi Dystopian



Recommended Age: 16+ (some mention of sex, language, death, and gore)



Publisher: Black Spot Books



Pages: 250



Amazon Link


Synopsis: The end of the world is coming. How or when, scientists can't agree upon. For decades, Earth's best line of defense has been a team of young soldiers known as the Apocalypse Five, forced into virtual reality simulations to train for Doom's Day. But, this is no game. Death on the grid is brutally final and calls up the next in a long line of cadets. Stationed aboard the AT-1-NS Starship, the A5 are celebrities thrust into the limelight by a calling they didn't choose. All it takes is one unscheduled mission, showing seventeen-year-old team leader Detroit a harsh and unfathomable reality, to shake the A5's belief in all they thought they knew. After questioning people with the power to destroy them, the team is framed for a crime they didn't commit and marked for death. Now, the hunt is on. Can the Apocalypse Five expose the truth the starship would kill to keep hidden? Or, will their bravery end in a public execution?



Review: I thought this book was pretty good. It’s an amazing dystopian sci-fi book that will make any hardcore dystopian fan happy. I thought the book was very reminiscent of The Hunger Games and Ender’s Game. The characters were all very well developed and personable. The plot was interesting. The pacing was very fast paced and you would easily run through this book in one sitting.



However, I did feel that the way the book told the story was a bit weird. It was really disjointing and it was hard to figure out what was going on. The book took a bit to get into and I feel that it was mostly due to the writing style.



Verdict: An amazing excellent book!

If Hunger Games and Ender's Game had a baby that baby would be this book- I loved the original concept and have always been a fan of the authors writing style- it is so effortless and jumps off of the pages- I loved every page!

Oh yeah, this is how sci-fi is done!

I recently finished reading Ender's Game and hated it! But this modern sci-fi was awesome! I can't wait to re-read it again in the future! It had everything- action-packed situations and twists and turns that kept me in suspense!

Highly recommended to sci-fi fans!

Every one in a while, I just need a good YA scifi romp. There’s something undeniably fun about a bunch of teens saving the world, and this book definitely fits the bill. It’s a bit of a mash between The Hunger Games and Ender’s Game, and it works pretty well. There’s a lovely found family theme flowing through the book, one of my favorite tropes, and it made this so much more enjoyable.

“June-bug, I need you to breathe. Remember the A.S.K. method we came up with? If we are Alive, Safe, and Concealed we’re doing okay.”
Her breath ragged, his sister flicked a wayward curl from her eyes. “A.S.K. isn’t a thing! Concealed starts with a C, and our entire lives are a lie!”
Reno pulled back as if she slapped him. “It does?”


The story is centered around an elite group of teens raised since birth in the hopes of becoming part of the Apocalypse Five, a group who trains through simulations to recover Earth from whatever horrors they might face in the future. They’re celebrities, with their missions and private lives filmed and broadcast for the rest of humanity’s viewing pleasure. After spending her young life training for this very job, and leading the team for over a year, Detroit should be pleased. But something is not quite right, and when Detroit stumbles on to a secret, suddenly her team is enemy number one. Stranded on an unfamiliar Earth and without any resources, they’re forced to come to terms with an unimaginable truth. How far will the team go to protect a new chance at life?

“The four of you are the only family I have ever known. You’ve made me who I am. I would deny myself every luxury in this galaxy to keep all of you safe.”
Juneau’s face fell into a frown and she let go of the shower wall. “In that case, you truly are the best toy soldier the AT-1-NS has.”


I loved Detroit and all of the Apocalypse Five team. I thought they were all well-characterized, and I loved the team interactions. Detroit subsumes her feelings into her work, Augusta drinks, and Houston is, well, hot, apparently. There’s also the twins – Juneau with her love of romance and Reno who’s main interest is keeping his sister safe. Once they’re exiled to Earth and on the run, they finally start to really gel and become a family, and I loved watching that happen. A nice bit was that the women were always considered equal teammates with the men, and each character has a speciality that they use to help the team out. I also liked the romance between Detroit and Houston, though it did get a bit overwrought towards the end.

The book is undeniably fun, but it’s also a bit less sophisticated than the other books it’s been compared to. The plot is predictable – it’s obvious from the beginning what’s going on and how it will all pan out. I did enjoy the world-building, though I found some of it confusing, and I liked the various Earth groups that were introduced, including the newborn and her parents. Any gamer will groan about the bane of all quests, the escort mission, and when I first realized that’s what the book was turning into, I was apprehensive. It’s still delightfully action-packed, though, between the missions at the beginning and being on the run for the rest of the book. The various battles were well-described and thrilling. The one thing I would complain about there is that there’s a lot of purple prose – one villain’s eyes are described as “lasers of hate” and two characters “optically copulate” – which detracted a bit from the emotion of the scene. There’s a good bit of humor in the book as well, which helped, though it’s mostly of the quick quip or one-liner variety. A lot of the humor reminded me of a TV show or movie, and I honestly think it would make a great action blockbuster, even though I found it a bit unsatisfying as a book.

Overall, while I enjoyed the book, it was a bit too predictable for me, and I’m not sure if I’ll continue with the series. If you’re hungry for a fun YA scifi romp, though, I’d definitely recommend this to you!

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

**Review can be found at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/ **

The Apocalypse-5 (A-5) team was formed to be trained and go on simulation missions for the day that the world will need them to save them from Doom's Day. But when the current team leader ends up going on a solo mission, she learns that she has been lied to, they have all been lied to. The team decides that they must get to the truth because it it their job after all to save humanity.




I have read so many different series and worlds created by Stacey at this point, all so different and interesting, but the one thing that all her books have in common is the ability to surprise you with all the plot twist! She is a master of creating detailed worlds that you can get lost in, be it a dark twisted fairytale, an alternate world where vampires rampage or now a science fiction dystopian.

Really, this was science fiction dystopian at it's best. What a way to start a book! We are dropped into the middle of a mission that goes horribly wrong and we watch the current A-5 team die- I was shocked! And next thing we know we see the new team selected and given names as opposed to the numbers they were know by, and the cycle continues. The best way I can describe this story would be the isolated regions, lying government, huge conspiracy and dystopian aspects of the Hunger Games meets the violence, weapons, battle scenes, viewer participation and sponsors from the movie Gamer. It was such a cool, messed up setting that I could not help but be lost in.

The pacing was fast paced and I found myself flying through the pages, not even noticing that I read the entire book in just a few hours. This is the perfect choice for some escapism reading during this snowy winter season!

Welcome to the future! The Apocalypse Five are our merry band of young soldiers training in simulated battles to save the world from impending apocalypse. They survive as a group by living, training, and fighting together. In a Big Brother/Survivor sort of environment, when one solider goes down, a new cadet becomes activated to the team. Detroit and her team are the longest running (surviving) A5 unit and have amassed celebrity status as such.

Full of twists and turns, the story unfolds by letting the reader discover what is happening at the same time the A5 team discovers what is happening. At times this can be frustrating because it means the story is more plot driven than anything else, but if the reader can accept that everything is revealed in time and stick with the team for the ride, the payoff is huge. (This would translate well to visuals on a screen for those too impatient to stick with the narrative.)

As a fan of dystopian YA, this title didn't disappoint. I'm eagerly awaiting book2!

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved the concept of Apocalypse 5. In a twist of Ender's Game mixed with Firefly, I was ready to dive head first out of the space ship. Unfortunately, with very little wirld building, I felt as though I was drifting through space untethered. From the getgo, you're thrusted into Stacey Rourke's dystopian world and in 250 pages, I felt the pacing was really in need of padding.

I really enjoyed the characters but by the time I came to care for them, the book was nearly over.

Apocalypse Five is the first novel in the Archive of the Fives series by Stacey Rourke. If I had to define the novel for you in just a few sentences, I would say that it’s Hunger Games in a science fiction setting, only with a couple major twists thrown into the mix.
Apocalypse Five is a combination of so many things, that I honestly don’t envy whoever had to make the decision on what category to put it into. It’s a little bit science fiction, young adult, survival, post-apocalyptic, and so much more. It also touches on other elements, some coming of age, a little bit of romance, that sort of thing.

<Spoiler>

Warnings: My comparison to Hunger Games is accurate in one sense, at least. There are children (okay, teenagers) in this series. And adults too, of course. These people are used as soldiers for what appears to be entertainment. Their deaths are not always easy or quick, but they’re not overly detailed at least.
Apocalypse Five was a fast-paced novel full of so many twists and turns. With every new twist, I thought I had a handle on the situation, that I fully understood what was happening it this world. Only for another twist to come along and further shake my perception of the world. It left me feeling like I had to constantly stay on my toes as I read – waiting for the next big reveal.
I enjoyed reading this novel. I liked how quick the pace was, and while there was a lot of violence in it, it never really felt overly gory or graphic. That’s a hard line to walk on, so I really appreciate it and feel like it deserves to be pointed out.
I’ll admit that it took me a couple of chapters to really get into this book. The first chapter really threw me through a loop. It was great that it started right out in the action, but I had no idea what was happening or who these people were. Once I got farther along I was able to truly understand what I had read, but it did take me a minute.
That being said, once I got past that point it didn’t take long for me to start becoming attached to the characters. And trust me, I tried to say ambivalent about them too – after that introduction (and my comparison to the Hunger Games) I was afraid to become too attached to anybody. So the fact that I did despite all of that says something, I think.
I’m not sure how I feel about the final twist in this book. It’s interesting, and I do look forward to seeing that get developed further. At the same time, it leaves me with more questions than answers. It’s not a cliffhanger, not quite. But it did change the book from feeling complete to making it very clear that there’s a lot more going on that we initially thought. I’ll have to wait and see what is shown in the second novel before I comment on it too much though.
I like that I wasn’t able to predict what was going to happen next. It’s refreshing to not have any clue what is going to happen, even if it is also a little bit stressful – I was constantly concerned about the fate of the five main characters.
I really enjoyed reading Apocalypse Five, and am looking forward to the sequel. The only shame is that I’ll have to wait. I guess that’s the downside to reading a novel the second it comes out (okay, I read it slightly before it came out, but you know what I mean).

This was a great sci-fi for young adults something like the Hunger and Enders Game . Readers find themselves thrown into a world of space launches, teen heroes into deadly missions. This book was very well written with interesting characters and lots of twists and turns that kept me glued to the book from start to the end. I would highly recommend this book and look forward to reading and finding out what happens next.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Much love goes out to NetGalley and Smith Publicity for this ARC.

HOLY FREAKING SH*T THAT WAS AWESOME!!!
I am horrified that I have to wait for the next book.
This was filled with fresh ideas, funny characters and of course...evil doers.
I docked 1 star since I felt the love interest portion was completely unnecessary.
The camaraderie of the team was enough on it's own.
Looking forward to more in this series!!!

"You're a ginger! We eat souls for breakfast."
As a ginger (under all this hair dye), I can confirm this quote as truth.

This book is across between 'Starship Troopers' with 'The Illuminae Files', 'Hunger Games' and 'Ascension'. It was hard to put down with characters that grew on you as they grew into themselves. I would call this a gate way book for young teens (as I have observed with 'The Last Thirteen') that find getting into serious sci-fi had to do due to language and length. This book is well written with language easy to understand in a not over long book. I hope the other books are not longer. The action and pace of the book is great and aimed at a more savvy read without it being to bablish in nature. I have been reccomending this book before I had finished it and have placed on our request list to buy for the Library I work for.

I am beyond thrilled that I got the chance to read the Young Adult Sci-Fi Apocalypse Five (Archive of the Fives - Book 1) by the very talented Author Stacey Rourke. I will admit that I don’t read enough of Sci-Fi books, but Rourke just proves why I should be reading a lot more of them. If you are a fan of shows like The 100 or movies like Hunger Games, then you will absolutely fall in love with Apocalypse Five.

The AT-1-NS space station has been preparing for the apocalypse for years. They have been training young boys and girls for mankind’s sake so they can one day return to earth safe from any doomsday threat. The team of highly trained young adults is known as the Apocalypse Five. They partake in simulated missions to test their skills, but these missions are real and they risk their lives every single time. The Apocalypse Five has lasted eighteen months without a death and they are celebrated heroes on the space station, but when a simulation goes wrong, The heroes slowly become the hunted. Framed for a crime they did not commit, the Apocalypse Five will do everything within their power to expose the AT-1-NS if they can manage to stay alive.

Apocalypse Five has everything that I could ever want in a story - action, adventure, great world building, and wonderfully fleshed out characters I can fall in love with. You are thrust right into the action right from the start and it does not let up all the way to the end. I found my pulse quickening in a lot of the scenes and maybe even yelling a time or two when the storyline became even more intense and just when I thought the story could not get any better, Rourke adds another twist and steps it up a notch. The ending though blew me away and I am highly anticipating the second book in the series. I NEED it! Wow! I am completely floored and wondering why I have not read anything by Stacey Rourke previously. She is definitely an author to watch out for.

I have to say that Apocalypse Five truly won me over with its diverse cast of characters. Although they are young, they have lived through a lot and sometimes I would forget that they are only teens, but Rourke has such a way of reminding you that they ARE still teenagers….teenagers that still kick *ss! They still have that teenage angst and a lot of snark which really made their personalities shine through for me. Even though they are highly trained, they are not presented as robots. Each team member has feelings, dreams, and love for each other. They are a family and have each others backs at all times and it shows. There is also a little romance thrown in and while it might not have been necessary, I felt that it added to the overall story and growth of the characters.

Apocalypse Five is an intense, action packed young adult sci-fi that will totally grip you right from the start. I never wanted the story to end! This is definitely a book that will be added to your keeper shelf. I am over the moon and so looking forward to the next book in the series.

This book is so derivative and poorly written that I had to give up. It is also way too YA for me. The teenaged team members are all making google eyes at each other. And then there’s this: “ The A5 helmets were fastened on with straps to allow their hair to always look its best. After all, what was the point of saving the world if you didn’t look fine as hell for the cameras?” The author was obviously heavily influenced by “The Hunger Games” and “Ender’s Game”. My strong suggestion is that you read those books and leave this one alone.

Admittedly, I was reading an ARC, but this book is so full of mistakes I doubt that anyone involved with it will have the sense to fix it. Examples of poor word choices in the first 14% of the book: “ Not that I mean to impede on their accomplishments in any way”; “...steady yourself against the wall’s stability”; and “expertly make-upped eyes”. Just not good.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Action and adventure, a bit if romance set in a dystopian Sci-Fi setting...what more could you ask for! Thrilling!